Run Tromso: Graham Kelly on running the Sky Race dreamed up by Kilian and Emelie

With 136 Scottish Hill Races under his belt, Graham will be a familiar face (or beard!) to many. Further afield, his raceography includes some of the worlds most legendary events: he has completed the Marathon des Sables (2008); the North Face 100km in Australia’s Blue Mountains (2010) and the Ultra Marathon Caballo Blanco in Mexico’s Copper Canyon (2013) as well as Tromso (2016): the skyrace created by Kilian Jornet & Emelie Forsberg. His UK ultra finishes include the Tour de Helvellyn, The Fling, Devil o’ the Highlands and Jedburgh Three Peaks.

Read on (below) for Graham’s interview about all things trail running, and what it means to him. Find him on twitter at @tae_the_north and check out his blog here.

Photo: thanks to Graeme Hewitson

TF: When did you start trailrunning?
GK: Mountains have always been part of my life but around the time I hit my 30th birthday, I noticed that getting up the summits was getting harder. Started road running to stay fit for the mountains which led to trail running which in turn led to mixing it with mountain running and the occasional ultra-distance event.

TF: What do you run for?
GK: Mainly to maintain health both physical and mental but it has also taken me to some beautiful places around the world and met some truly incredible people.

TF: What did you learn from this?
GK: Two things – that I hadn’t done enough specific training and that I have some amazing friends who gave unquestioning support before, during and after the event.

TF: What do you think of when the trails get tough?
GK: I broke my ankle early last year: no matter how tough running a trail is, not running is tougher.

TF: What is your next big adventure?
GK: Fastpacking the Tour du Mont Blanc route with my girlfriend Katie to finish in time to spectate the UTMB, Ben Nevis Hill Race in early September, Glen Coe Skyline (part of the World Skyrunner Extreme Race Series) in mid September.

TF: Who is your running inspiration?
GK: My Dad – I grew up seeing him with a simple passion for running. We’ve spent countless miles together and that connection kept us friends throughout our lives.

TF: What three words would you use to describe your relationship to running?
GK: Adventure, exploration, dirty

TF: What one piece of advice would you give to others?
GK: Running has so many aspects – find what you enjoy and you’ll be good at it.

Join TrailFest on Strava

Follow the TrailFest Blog

What is TrailFest?

We love to #RunDirty and trailrunning is how we do it. We leave the pavements and roads behind for adventures and explorations in the forests, hills, mountains and moors.

TrailFest was founded in 2015 as ‘Glasgow Trailrunning Festival’ by Ryan Scott and Jo Cowper to create a celebration of trailrunning. Since then it has evolved into a national community which facilitates and supports runners of all abilities to run off-road with confidence and joy through social runs, training days, films & talks and an annual festival weekend.

Guided Trailrunning

We organise guided trailruns through stunning landscapes in West, Central Scotland. Our RunSOCIALs leave the pavements and roads behind for adventures and explorations in the forests, hills, mountains and moors.

With distances to suit everyone from seasoned trailrunner to off-road newbie, running with us is the best way to build skills, confidence and friends for trailrunning.